UNDER CONTROL

“Cradling is the foundation of lacrosse,” says Nittany Lion co-captain Matt Traynor. For those entering the sport, learning the right way to cradle, or secure the ball, is imperative. The senior midfielder dishes on some of the finer points of controlling and protecting the ball. 

EASY DOES IT

Traynor says to relax your hands and wrists, and simulate a biceps curl. The bottom hand stabilizes the stick, while the top hand controls the motion.

TWO TO ONE

Switching to a one-handed cradle can free your other hand to deflect opponents’ sticks. Keeping the ball and pocket near your ear is important here.

EQUIPMENT MATTERS

Traynor regularly tests sticks with different sidewall patterns to see which feel the best and provide the best whip on shots and passes. “I see a lot of people using sticks that don’t have a good enough pocket.”

NEED FOR SPEED

Running faster can help you better protect the ball from defenders, Traynor says. “The faster you’re running, the more ball security you’re going to have, because you’re cradling harder.”

BONUS TIP

“Just watch the best in the game. We have access to videos of the best players. Watching them, picking out the parts of their game, and then going out into the backyard and practicing it, that’s how I started to get better.”